BBC Four

The BBC are to air a lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show, almost six decades after the initial broadcast, to coincide with Eric Morecambe’s 100th birthday

A long-lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show, first broadcast on the BBC in 1968, has been rediscovered and will be shown next month.

The episode, which first aired on September 16, 1968, will be re-shown decades later to coincide with when Eric Morecambe would have turned 100. BBC Four will also show a collection of sketches called The Perfect Morecambe and Wise to mark this moment.

The episode, which was thought to be lost forever, was discovered by Film Is Fabulous! – a charitable trust run by film collectors and television enthusiasts. It was found in the estate of a former television industry professional and has now been returned to the BBC.

This ‘lost’ programme is the third episode from Morecambe and Wise’s first series after returning to the BBC, following a period working with commercial television.

Noreen Adams, Director of BBC Archives, said: “Morecambe and Wise are one of the UK’s most loved comedy duos. Thanks to Film Is Fabulous! – We’re delighted to share this comedy gold that we thought was lost forever with viewers across the UK.”

The episode features sketches written by Sid Green and Dick Hills. Ann Hamilton appears as Pauline in a sketch set in a nudist colony, while Jenny Lee-Wright plays Eric’s niece, a balloon dancer. It also includes a musical performance from The Paper Dolls, who enjoyed hits in the 1960s.

Eric Morecambe’s daughter, Gail Morecambe, said: “What a lovely surprise this is, and I’m really looking forward to seeing it on a screen once again after so many years.

“It’s excellent to hear that skilled people are actively going through the Archives and discovering ‘lost’ programmes. Not just Morecambe and Wise, of course. I am especially thrilled that it coincides with my father’s centenary year. Really wonderful.”

Eric Morecambe’s son, Gary Morecambe added: “I’m so thrilled and surprised by the discovery of a Morecambe and Wise show that hasn’t been seen since 1968. I honestly didn’t think there was anything out there left to find, and when something like this comes out of nowhere, it’s really quite wonderful.

“Hats off to Professor Justin Smith and his team, whose dedication and hard work brought this gem back to us. I’m very excited about seeing it for the first time since I was twelve years of age.”

The Morecambe and Wise Show ran for nine series and became a regular fixture at Christmas on the BBC with a festive special, before moving to ITV for four series.

* The lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show will air on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer on Thursday May 14 from 8pm.

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Journalist and Editor Samantha Bartlett happened to stumble upon an iconic 1999 episode of Top of the Pops recently, and one thing left her floored after watching it

The weekly broadcast of Top of the Pops (TOTP) officially ended on 30 July 2006. The iconic British music show concluded its 42-year run with a special final edition, titled “The Final Countdown,” which featured a mix of archival performances and a final chart rundown.

However, despite not being around for a decade, repeats of the show are still shown on BBC Four on Friday nights. I was one of the people tuning in last Friday and happened to stumble upon an iconic 1999 episode of Top of the Pops presented by Gail Porter. Being a 90s baby, I love a bit of cheesy pop, but as they went through the chart countdown I was struck by how many absolute tunes and iconic bands were in there.

At number 12 was Backstreet Boys with ‘I Want It That Way’, followed by the very silly but iconic ‘Doodah!’ From Cartoons at 11.

Number 10 was The Chemical Brothers’ ‘Hey Boy, Hey Girl’, while number 9 was also boyband favourite – N-Sync’s ‘Tearin’ Up My Heart’.

At number 8 was Shanks + Bigfoot ‘Sweet Like Chocolate’, while at 7 was Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)’.

Number 6 was another iconic tune, with Shania Twain’s ‘That Don’t Impress Me Much’, while the fifth position was taken by Adam Rickitt’s ‘I Breathe Again’.

Madonna’s ‘Beautiful Stranger’ was then at number 4, while Britney Spears took the third spot with ‘Sometimes’.

Just missing out on the top spot at number 2 was S Club 7s ‘Bring It All Back’, meanwhile at number 1 was one other than Vengaboys ‘Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!’, that no doubt all you fellow 90s babies jumped around to in your bedroom.

I actually couldn’t believe how many iconic acts and tunes were just in those 12 slots. I mean, I know some of them are cheesy, however, many of those songs were massive UK hits where literally everyone, including your gran, would know all the words.

I was so struck by the clip I decided to share it to my TikTok,

I just find it quite sad that shows like Top Of The Pops were huge back then and listening to the chart with part of your weekly routine.

I remember I used to go round my nan’s with my dad and sister on a Sunday so me and my sister would always run out to the car and listen to the radio to find out what was number one. Now I don’t think anyone really cares apart from maybe the artist themselves and their record label.

It just feels like a lot of fun has gone out of today’s music and charts and there doesn’t seem many good pop bands around for kids, apart from all the K-Pop stuff that is big at the moment.

The only pop bands that seem to do well these days are those 90s ones that come back for a revival, such as Blue or Take That.

I’m not sure if it’s all to do with money and that labels just aren’t putting the money behind bands and acts anymore or what but I certainly miss the glory days and am glad I have all the memories from my favourite 90s acts.

The Irish drama has already been compared to Line of Duty

The BBC have added new episodes of ‘television’s most stressful thriller ‘ to their iPlayer service as it prepares to return to our screens this weekend.

All episodes of Hidden Assets are now available to stream at no extra cost on the platform. This includes its recently released third season, which was previously only available via Acorn TV late last year.

Those who are caught up to the most recent chapter of Hidden Assets can settle down to the latest episodes as they air each Saturday on BBC Four at 9pm. Otherwise, the complete collection is already available to stream on iPlayer right now.

The series is actually a joint Irish-Belgian-Canadian production. It is developed and written by Peter McKenna who previously penned other hit crime dramas including Kin and Gangs of London.

Each season contains six episodes, meaning those who have yet to watch any of it have plenty to catch up on. However, it should be a quick binge watch with fans and critics claiming it does not take long for viewers to be hooked.

For those that have yet to see any of the series, the first season is set in present day Shannon, County Clare, Ireland, its Free Zone and airport, and the port of Antwerp, Belgium. The plot focuses on the Irish Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and the Belgian Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).

The second is also set between Antwerp and County Clare (Limerick, specifically). Meanwhile, the third series is set in Dublin and Bilbao where CAB joins forces with Ertzaintza detectives.

According to the synopsis, the narrative begins when evidence from a raid links a small-time drug dealer to a series of bombings in Belgium. This leads to Irish detective Emer Berry heading to Antwerp, where she’s confronted by Christian de Jong of the anti-terrorism squad. Together, they begin to untangle an international conspiracy involving drugs, terrorism, and corrupt business and political leaders.

While it hasn’t received enough professional reviews to warrant a score on Rotten Tomatoes, plenty sing its praises. The Guardian simply labelled it as ‘television’s most stressful thriller’ upon its return while one reviewer called it “a first-rate Irish crime drama series with Scandi-noir twists.”

Fans have been just as vocal for the series and recommending it to others. One posted online: “Brilliant Irish police thriller so much better than the BBC’s Northern Irish attempt, ‘Blue Lights’.”

Another added: “Compelling drama. Well written , directed and acted. Could not wait to see next episode and good ending. Definitely recommend. As good as Line of Duty.”

While someone else claimed: “Ever since Love/Hate we’ve been waiting for a gripping Irish Crime series to come along and here it is.” And another commented: “Right away you get sucked into the storyline and get caught up in the action. The acting is first class from all. I’m already looking forward to the next episode.”

Hidden Assets airs Saturday at 9pm on BBC Four and is streaming on BBC iPlayer.